OXYGEN

19 May
_____________________

Acts of the Apostles 18:23-28

Paul came down to Antioch, where he spent a short time before continuing his journey through the Galatian country and then through Phrygia, encouraging all the followers.

An Alexandrian Jew named Apollos now arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, with a sound knowledge of the scriptures, and yet, though he had been given instruction in the Way of the Lord and preached with great spiritual earnestness and was accurate in all the details he taught about Jesus, he had only experienced the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak boldly in the synagogue, they took an interest in him and gave him further instruction about the Way.

When Apollos thought of crossing over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote asking the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived there he was able by God’s grace to help the believers considerably by the energetic way he refuted the Jews in public and demonstrated from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
_____________________

John 16:23-28

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you most solemnly,
anything you ask for from the Father he will grant in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.
Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.
I have been telling you all this in metaphors,
the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in metaphors;
but tell you about the Father in plain words.
When that day comes you will ask in my name;
and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you,
because the Father himself loves you for loving me
and believing that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world
and now I leave the world to go to the Father.’
_____________________

Ask in my name

When I go shopping, and about to buy something, I always ask myself if I want the item or do I need the item. Maybe sub consciously, I could persuade myself from it being a ‘want’ to being a ‘need’ and I will eventually buy it. I am sure many of you felt this as well, you cannot go marketing or groceries shopping when you are hungry, we will end up making a lot more unnecessary purchases than initially intended and no, sometimes a market list will not help.

In today’s first reading, Apollos clearly knew what he needed. His believe in Jesus Christ is only limited to his experience with John the Baptist. Apollos’ persistence and passion with the Lord led him to the disciples which brought Him closer to the closest followers of Christ then. What more could one ask for than to be welcomed and gathered around by those who have seen Christ themselves.

Lord Jesus is the Way, however, the everyday route we take in life presents so many ways that we find it so complex. Some would find the easiest way out, some would take up any challenges ahead of them, some would just be indifferent and care less about whichever path is chosen. Which one will lead you to a God-centred life? Which one will be life-giving to yourself and to those around you? Which is right? If you ask me, I will simply just say, all will. It is about how we eventually find Jesus at the end of each path, and it ultimately depends on us having the need to search for Him.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Austin Leong)
_____________________

Prayer: Constantly guide me O Lord, so I may find the Way wherever I am, whatever I do, whoever I meet.

Thanksgiving: You lit up the path for me to walk on, You carry me when I am tired and You are beside me when I am down. You are my God.